...about weight loss...and hormones

The realities of weight loss are fantastic and very rewarding...

...but some changes in your body are not always pleasant. Some women may experience symptoms during or after weight loss that aren't so great...they could include fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, night sweats, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, joint pain, vaginal dryness, dry skin, loss of libido, just to name a few. 

These symptoms are frequently associated with menopause and could be a result of low estrogen levels.   Here's why:

"Estrogen attaches itself to fat cells. The more fat cells that are in the body, the more estrogen is produced. Excess weight that is stored in the belly is an indicator of high levels of estrogen.

Unfortunately, high levels of estrogen in the fat cells can hinder the body's ability to burn fat, which makes it more difficult to lose weight. Exercise and a high-protein diet is an effective way to lose weight and lower the estrogen levels in the fat cells for those with estrogen dominance." *internet source

But lowering your estrogen levels can trigger changes in other ways...when you lose fat cells, you lose estogen stores.  Because symptoms of low estrogen levels can be quite subtle and widely vary, women may not recognize at first that their issue is low estrogen.

I experience some changes the first year after surgery.  During the months prior to gastric bypass surgery, I had to discontinue my hormone replacement therapy.  After surgery, I made the decision not to go back on the hormones, but several months later, I thought I was going crazy...and my body was falling apart...

Did I lose weight for this?   ...I don't think so...there are answers and solutions...after doing some research and consulting with my GYN I returned to the hormone replacement, my symptoms dissipated and life returned to normal.

It's important to listen to your body and learn all you can about the changes you are going through.  These changes in weight loss affect not only your physical body, but also cause hormone fluctuations which also affect you emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. 

Know your body and the symptoms of low estrogen levels.  I encourage you to make sure that you have regular checkups with your doctor and ask for a bone density test so that you are aware in any changes as you grow older. 

There is a whole new way of life that awaits after weight loss surgery...go enjoy it...yes you can...you have many more miles to go!